Bookrack



Dec. 20, 1932. w, IN 1,891,814

BOOKRACK Filed June 12. 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR WITNESSES l 5 VVaZZI-E Ids/Q12 zit/ o 1/6. BY

m ATTORNEYS W. E. HASKIN Dec. 20, 1932.

BOOKRACK Filed June 12, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORN EYS Dec. 20, 1932. w. E. HASKIN 1,391,814

BOOKRACK Filed June lg, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 GEE INVENTOR Y WITNESSES ZZ%/-Z.Z;1Jz'zz Zw 1e BY WWW/,3

. M ATTORNEYS Dec. 20, 1932.

W. E. HASKIN BOOKRAGK Filed June 12, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 WITNESSES ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 20,- 1932 UNITED STATES PAT-E NT" oF1=1cE WALTEB EASTER HABKIN, OI ILUSHING, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR PBESSED & WELDED STEEL IR-ODUCTS COMPANY, INC., 0! NEW YORK, N. Y., C ORIE'ORA'IIIOIN' OF NEW Yon:

Application filed iune 12,

This invention relates to a bookrack, and it is to be understood that in emplo ing the title bookrack it is used in its broadestsense to include a book cabinet, book-casing or other suitable mount for a plurality of .pivotally supported book holders, adapted to hold or support any type of book, which are counterbalanced and adapted to be moved from closed position'to open position and vice versa, without any banging or shocking to theholders and the books.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved mounting for a series of books, which normally supports the books in closed position, but enables any or all of the books to be swung from a closed to open position for ready use.

My invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with entry books such, for example, as loose-leaf books or binders in which entries can be easily and quickly made, and reference to the accounts or other data in the books can be quickly found.

structurally, the invention embodies an improved cabinet or casing for the book holders and books, improved means for closing the cabinet, improved counterbalancing means for the book holders and books, and improved means for removably coupling the books to the book holders, all of which will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved bookrack, the view being taken looking at one corner of the device, showing more specifically one end, the front and the top of the device, illustrating all of the books and book holders in closed position, but ready for manipulation;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing one of the books in open position;

Figure 3is a view similar to Figures 1 and 2, showing all'of the books in open position;

Figure 4 is a perspective view looking mainly at the rear of the bookt'ack, showing all of the books in closed position and the book closure in its lowered position, so that the book holders and books may be manipulated;

1530; Serial No. 460,716.

' Figure 5 is a view in vertical, cross section through the bookrack, with the books in closed position and the book closure in its position, preventing movement of the ered position, out of the way of the movablebook holders and books, all but one of the book holders and books being omitted for clearness.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Fi re 7, showing one-of the book holders ang books in partially open position, or, in otherwords, in the position which the book holder and book .take in their movement from open to closed position, and vice versa;

Figure 9 is a broken view mainly in plan, showing one book holder and book in partially open position, showing the other book holders withthe books removed, and portions broken away and in section with illustrated details of construction; and

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary View in longitudinal section through one of the book holders, illustrating more specifically the manner of securing a My improved bookrack embodies a cabinet or case A, aseries of book holders B pivotally mounted in the upper portion of the cabinet or casing A, and a series of books C removably connected to the book" holdersbut having a novel arrangement of mounting and counterbalancing means.

In referring to the part A as a cabinet or casing, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited to any form or shape of this cabinet, as this may be varied times without any possibility of misplacing the book, and dispensing with the handling of books which are often heavy and cumber-\ connected by front and back members 2 and 3, respectively. The back member or wall is preferably vertical and straight, and extends upwardly from the bottom of the rack for a portion of the length or height of the rack, and the front member or wall 2 is preferably set back from the frontedges of the ends 11; the lower portion of this front wall is vertical, while the upper portion 2 thereof tapers forwardly to the front of the cabinet, thus providing sufficient leg room for an o erator in a sitting posture to manipulate the ooks and make entries therein.

The top of the cabinet is mainly open, but has what constitute end-pieces 4-4 connected by a front an 'ularly-shaped flange 5 upon which the books may temporarily rest durin the time of uncoupled relation to the book ho der, and while pages or sections of pa es are being inserted or removed from the boo s.

The cabinet is preferably supported on rollers or casters 6 to facilitate its removal from place to place, and the top portion 4 is shown at a slight angle, which is a convenient angle for positioning the book holders and books so that entries or reference can be conveniently made to the books while the operator is in a sitting posture, although, of course, it is distinctly understood that the angle of disposition of the book holders and books may be varied as desired.

All of the book holders B are of generally oblong, hollow, box-like form to give sulficient body thereto, so that pivotal mountings in and connections with the book holders can provide the desired leverage for movement and counterbalance.

All of the book holders B are pivotally suprted on a rod- 7, which extends longituinally through the upper portion of the cabinet and through all the book holders, the pivotal connection between the book holders and the rod being slightly nearer one end of Y the book holders than the other, so that the preponderance of wei ht of the book holder and book is at one en preferably the upper orrear end, to insure a complete opening and closing movement due to gravity as the parts reach the extremes of their movement.

Suitable s acing sleeves 8 are provided on the rod 7 between the book holders to properly space the latter, and said rod may be removably secured in the cabinet in any approved manner to permit of the'ready assemblage of the parts and the removal and replacement of the parts as occasion may re uire.

holders and books are precisely alike, and hence the description hereinafter given of one set of counterbalancing means will apply alike to all.

A depending link 9 is pivotall connected at its u per end to one side of the B, as c early shown at 10. This pivotal connection 10 is above the rod 7 when the book holder is in closed position, and a recess 11 is provided in the link 9 to accommodate the rod 7 and the spacing sleeve 8, reference being particularly made to Figures 5, 7 and 8 of the drawings. The pivotal connection 10 is preferably located above and slightly beyond or over center of a line perpendicular to the back of the holder B and passing through the center of rod 7 so that the force exerted by a spring 17 through link 9 would tend to hold the book more firmly in its closed position. The lower end of the link 9 is pivotally connected, as shown at 12, to a lever 13, the pivotal connection 12 being intermediate the ends of the lever 13, said lever bein pivotally supported on a rod or other suita le device 14, mounted on a bracket 15 fixed to the back wall 3 of the cabinet A.

The lever 13 is shown as a channel and carries at one end a pivoted arm 16, which is connected by the coiled spring 17 to a bracket 18 fixed to the rear wall 3 of the cabinet. To adjust the tension of this spring 17 the arm 16 is formed intermediate its ends with a nut 19, which may have swivelled connection to the arm 16, and an adjusting screw or rod 20 extends longitudinally of the lever 13 to engage the swivelled nut 19 on the arm 16 and has rotary mounting in the pivoted end of the lever 13. A winged head 21 is fixed to one end of the screw-threaded rod 20 so that by manually turning this rod the arm 16 may be pivoted to vary or adjust the tension of the spring 17.

22 represents a second link located on the opposite side of the book holder to which the link .9 is connected,'and this link 22 has a pivotal connection 23 with the book holder B, such pivotal connection (when the book holder is in closed position) being in advance or forward of the rod 7 a proper distance for the function desired.

The lower end of the link 22 is pivotally connected to a triangular plate 24, this plate being pivotally connected to the bolt or rod 14 above referred to, and also pivotally connected to a plunger rod 25 of a dash pct 26. The dash pot 26 has a pivotal connection 27 with a bar 28 fixed to the inner face of the front wall 2 of the cabinet. This pivotal connection 23 is preferably in a line passing through the center of rod 7 and parallel with the back of the holder B and spaced sufiiciently from rod 7 to give the desired stroke or thrust to the plunger rod of the dash pot. It is to be further noted that the pivotal connection between link 22 and bell crank 24 should ok holder lie in a line perpendicular to the back of holder B and passing through the center of rod 7 The said pivotal coimection will then be seen to travel the same arc and return to the same point in either operation of o ening or closing the book-the stroke of the p anger of the dash pot being identical in both operations.

In describing the linkage of the cushioning means I have described the exact structure illustrated in the drawin but it is apparent that the plate 24 in rea ity constitutes a bell crank lever in its function and operation,.and in the description hereinafter iven of the operation of these parts the das 1 pot will be referred to as a whole by the reference character 26, and the other parts in more or less general terms as it is not the intention of applicant to be limited to the exact form of the parts shown in the drawings, as this is capable of considerable modification.

At the back of the cabinet a closure 29 is provided to cover the rear ends of the books when in closed position, and also functions to hold them in this position. The closure 29 is counterbalanced by what is generally known in the trade as a Pullman sash balance D, which has a spring operating means for balancing the weight of the closure and assisting in elevating the same, this balance being clearly illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings.

This closure 29 preferably constitutes a cover in two sections, hin edly connected, as shown at 30, and both sectlons capable of vertical sliding movement in guides 31 adjacent the side walls of the cabinet and at the back thereof. This closure or cover 29 may have any suitable sliding coupled relation to the cabinet, but from the drawings this sliding coupling is indicated as an inwardly projecting flange 32 at each side edge of the closure 29, riding in a groove 33 at the back of the cabinet. To insure an easy and proper movement of the closure, racks 34 are fixed to the back of the cabinet, and pinions 35 supported on a shaft 36 mounted in the closure 29 ride freely on the racks.

When the device is in use the closure is in its lowered position, and when not in use or when the days work is ended the closure is drawn upwardly and the upper section thereof is swung forwardly, as clearly indicated in Figure 5, and may be locked in this position as desired.

I have illustrated means for holding or locking the closure, which includes an over- 1 ing angular lip 37 at the upper end of the closure, which rests upon the parts 4 of the cabinet top, and also upon the book holders, and within this flanged lip I provide a latch or lock 38, indicated more or less diagrammatically in Figure 5 of the drawings, which operatively engages the perforated lugs 39 in the end walls 1 of the cabinet.

In Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings, I i1- lustrate the preferred manner of coup mg the books .to-the book holders. The book holders have inwardly projecting fixed lips 40 at one end, and movable inwardly projecting lips 41 at their other ends, for engagement with the backs 42 of the books C. The movable lips 41 constitute arts of the angle Elates 43, mounted to sli e within the hollow ook holders B and controlled by latch arms" 44, which also project into the book holders and have reduced fingers 45 at their inner ends projecting through openings 46 in the transverse slots 49 therein, and a coupling pin 50 projects through these slots 48, 49 an 49 and through the latch arm 44. The slots 49 and 49' are parallel and the slot 48 is at an angle to the slots 49 and 49 in each assemblage, so that when the arm 44 causes the coupling pin 50 to move in the slots it exerts a certam amount of cam action against the walls of the slots to cause theangle plate 43 and lip 41 and also the arm 44 to move forwardly or rearwardly, as the case may be; the forward movement of the lip, of course, releases the book and the rearward movement insures the coupling engagement of the book and the book holder.

The angularly-shaped flange or support at the front of the cabinet is provided with openings 51 therein, through which the finger of the hand may be inserted to operate a loose-leaf binder. When the book is released from the book holder and it is desired to change the pages in the book, it may be moved forward and rest'upon the flange or support 5 and be completely opened to break the hinder of. the loose-leaf book, if it be that type of book.

Referring to Figures 5, 7 and 8 of the drawings, a clear space is shown between the angular flange 5 and the upper edge of the front Wall 2' of the cabinet. Figure 7 shows the book in the open position and the finger grip 47 in position below the lower edge of flange 5 where it can be readily manipulated. Referring to Figure 9, the fourth holder'froifi the left shows the. finger grip 47 in the normally closed position and the holder is free to swing without interference from flange 5. When the finger grip 47 is moved to the left to release the book from the holder, as is shown in the first three holders illustrated in Figure 9, the latch arm 44 is projected outward and the finger grip 47 moves to a pii sition under the flange 5, which interferes with the swing of the holder and retains the same while the book is being removed and manipulated or replaced in the holder.

The operation of the mechanism is as follows, particular reference being made to Figur-es 5, 6. 7 and 8 of the drawings:

Figures 5 and 6 show the position of the book holders and books when in closed position, Figure 5 showing the closure 29 elevated wide range of utility and handling of any and holding the books in the cabinet, and also preventing loss or injury from fire or theft or the entrance of dust and dirt into the cabinet. Before operating any of the books it is, of course, necessary first to lower the closure 29. It will be noted that when .the booksare in closed position the link 9 has its pivotal connection 10 with the book holder B at a point above, the rod 7, which constitutes the pivot of the book holder, and the pivot 23 of the link 22 is forward of the rod 7 but substantially in line therewith.

To swing the book from closed to open position, the operator grasps the rear end or furthest end of the book holder and exerts an upward and forward pull thereon. This causes the book holder B to swing on its rod or pivot 7 and causes the pivot 10 to swing in an are from a point above the rod 7 to a point befow the rod 7,. as indicated in Figure 7.

During this movement of the link 9 the lever -13 is forced downwardly and rearwardly, assisted by the contraction of the spring 17. The spring 17 exerts its greatest force at the beginning'of the movement and its force di minishes and is completely dormant as the parts reach the end of the movement. As the book swings from closed to open position the link 22 through the medium of the plate or hell crank lever 24 causes the dash pot 26 to function, and this function resists the tendency of the book to fall, counterbalancing the weight thereof, and causing or permitting the same to slowly move to its completely open position.

\Vhen the book and book holder are moved from open to c'osed position the action of the linkage is reversed. During the beginning of this motion or movement the spring 17 offers practically no resistance whatever.v

However,. as this movement continues the spring is expanded and continues to be expanded. oifering increasing resistance to the fall of the book holder. As the book holder and book near the extremes of both movements, they are prevented from banging or striking the walls of the cabinet with any appreciable force by the action of the dash pot 26, but it is understood that this dash pot is regulated so that its operation does not hinder the normal movement of the parts, but prevents bangs and jars which would occur ots are nearer one end of the book holders than the other, the force of gravity is utilized to cause the complete opening and closing movements of the books and book holders, such movement, as above stated, being resisted to the desired extent by the operation of' the dash pot.

A device of this character lends itself to a This idea is illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings.

It will be noted particularly by reference to Flgures 5, 7 and 8 of the drawings that I provide cushions 52 and 53, which act to prevent any bang or noise and relieve jars in the manipulation of the books and book holders. When the book is open the end of the book holder rests upon the cushion 52, and when the book is in closed position the book bears against the cushion 53.

To further assist in preventing the admission of dust and dirt to the interior of the cabinet, I may provide on the end of each book holder Ba tongue 54 which has a slightly curved free end so that when the book holder is in closed position this tongue will project under the cushioned upper end of the front walled section 2, as clearly indicated in Figure 5 of the drawing.

While I have illustrated what I believe to be the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is obvious that various changes may be made in the general form and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention; hence I do not limit myself to the specific details set forth but consider myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a bookrack, the combination with a support, of a bookholder pivotally mounted on the support and adapted to support a book normally in suspended closed position, and adapted to be swung on its pivot to a reverse position to support the book and permit opening thereof, automatic and progressively Variable counterbalancing tension means pivotally connected to one side of the book holder, and movement cushioning means pivotally connected to the other side of the book holder.

2. In a bookrack, the combination with a support, of a book holder pivotally mounted on the support and adapted to support a book normally in suspended closed position, and

adapted to be swunglonits pivot to a reverse er, movement cushionin means operatively connected to the other si e of the book holder,

said cushioning means includin a dash ot,

and a link operatively connecte to the ash 3. In a bookrack, the combination with a sup ort of a book holder pivotally mounted on t e sup rt and ada te to support a book normally in suspende closed position, and adapted to be swung on its pivot to a reverse position to support the book and permit openmg thereof, counterbalancm means 0 eratively connected to one side 0 the book older, movement cushionin means operatively connected to the other si e of the book holder, said cushioning means including a dash pot, and a link operatively connecte to the dash pot, said link being pivotally connected to the book holder at a oint removed from the ivotall mount-ingo the book holder, whereby said ink pivot swings from one side to the other of the book holder ivot during the movement of the book hol er.

4. In a bookrack, the combination with a support, of a book holder pivotally mounted on t e support and adapted to support a book normal in suspended closed position, and adapte to be swun on its pivot to a reverse posltion to support t e book and permit opening thereof, counterbalancing means operatively connected to one side 0 the book holder, and movement cushioning means operatively connected to the other side of the book holder, said counterbalancing means includin a link pivotally connected to the book ho der at a point above the book holder pivot,

said link pivot being movable to a point below the book holder pivot when the book holder is swung from one extreme position to the other.

5. In a bookrack, the combination with a support, of a book holder pivotally mounted on the support and adapted to support a book normally in suspended closed position, and adapted to be swung on its pivot to a reverse osition to support the book and permit openmg thereof, counterbalancing means operatively connected to one side of the book holder, movement cushioning means operatively connected to the other side of the book holder, said counterbalancing means including a link pivotally connected to the book holder at a point above the book holder pivot, said link pivot being movable to a point below the book holder pivot when the book holder is swung from one extreme position to. the other, a lever pivoted to the support and to which one end of said link is connected, and a spring connecting the lever to the support and resisting the movement of the lever in one direction and assisting the movement of the lever in theopposite direction.

6. A bookrack includin a support, a book holder pivotally mounte between its ends in the support, an arm pivotally mounted in the support, a link pivotally connecting the book holder and the arm, and a coil spring connecting the arm to the support whereby said link, lever and spring constitute counterbalancing means for the book holder.

7. A bookrack includin a support, a book holder pivotally mounte between its ends in the. support, a lever pivotally mounted in the support, a link pivotally connecting the book holder and the lever, an arm pivotally connected to the lever, an adjusting screw operatively connected to the arm and carried by the lever, whereby the an ular disposition of the arm may be varie and a cushioning spring connecting the free end of the arm with the fixed part of the su port.

8. A bookrack including a ca inet, a rod extending through the upper portion of the cabinet, a plurality of book holders pivotally supported on the rod and adapted to support books which are suspended therefrom when the books are in closed position within the cabinet, independent automatic and progressively variable counterbalancing tension means for each book holder operatively connected to the book holders and located within the cabinet, said book holders and books located at an angle to the perpendicular, and the outer faces of the book holders substantially flush with the top of the cabinet, whereby a surface is provided for the support of a book at an angle to the perpendicular when the books are moved to open position.

9. A bookrack including a cabinet, a rod extending through the upper portion of the cabinet, a plurality of book holders pivotally supported on the rod and adapted to support books which are suspendedtherefrom when the books are in closed position within the cabinet, independent variable counterbalancing means for each book holder operatively connected to the book holders and located within the cabinet, said book holders and books located at an angle to the perpendicular, the outer faces of the book holders substantially flush with the top of the cabinet, whereby a surface is provided for the support of a book at an angle to the perpendicular when the books are moved to open position, a closure having sliding mounting on the back of the cabinet, and a hinged section on the said closure adapted to be connected to the top of the cabinet to cover the ends of the book holdersand books when the latter are not desired for use. 10. A bookrack including a book holder pivotally mounted in the rack, a fixed bookengaging lip at one end of the holder, a movable book-engaging lip at the other end of the holder, and a laterally swinging member havin slot and pin connection with the movable flook-engagin lip for causing movement of the movab e book-engaging ip.

11. A bookrack including a book holder pivotally mounted in the rack, a fixed booken a in lip at one end of the holder, a movable ofir-engaging lip at the other end of the holder, a laterally swinging member 0 eratively connected to the movable boo engaging li a movable late within the book holder, sai plate and t e wall of said book holder having slots at an angle to each other, and a pin carried by the lateralliy swinging member movable in said slots an exertin a cam action on the plate to move the mova le book-engaging lip.

12. A bookrack including a support, a book holder pivotally mounted between its ends in the support, a link connected to the book holder, a dash pot ivotally mounted in the support, and a mem er pivotally connected to the support and connecting the link and dash P 13. The combination with a book stand, the front wall of which is set back permitting leg spacing and providing support for the closed books, a rod projecting through the u per portion of the cabinet, a plurality of book holders pivotally supported on the rod, and adapted to support books normally suspended therefrom and confined within the cabinet, any or all of said book holders and books adapted to swing on their pivots and permit the books to open and be supported on the top of the cabinet, an independent automatic and progressively variable counterbalancing tension and cushioning means operatively connected to each book holder.

14. The combination with a support, a front wall of the support having a clear space near its end therein, a book holder pivotally mounted in the support, book securing means for coupling the book holder to the book, said means including an arm having a lateral as well as a longitudinal movement to operate the coupling means, said arm being projected forwardly so as to project into said clear space and be held by the upper wall of said clear space to prevent turning movement of the holder when a book is uncoupled from the holder.

15. The combination with a support, a hollow book holder pivotally mounted in the support, an angle plate movably mounted in one end of the holder and having a book-engaging member at one end, a flange on the book holder located parallel to the upper member of the angle plate and spaced therefrom, an arm extending longitudinally of the book holder, and having a longitudinal movable and fulcruming mount in the vertical portion of said angle plate, the wall of said book holder and said flange having normally parallel slots therein at an angle to the slot in the angle plate, and a pin projected through the slots of all of said members so that when the arm is pivotally swung from one side to the other t e angle plate of the book securi member is moved longitudinally of the bo dfi holder.

16. The combination with a sup ort a hollow book holder ivotally mounte in the support, an angle p ate movably mounted in one end of the holder and having a book en a ing member at one end, a flange on the oofir holder located parallel to the u per member of the angle plate and s aced refrom, an arm extending longitu inally of the book holder and having a lon 'tudinal movable and fulcruming mount in t e vertical ortion of said angle Iplate, the wall of said boo holder and said ange having normall parallel slots therein at an angle to the s 0t in the angle plate, a pin projected through the slots of all of said members so that when the arm is pivotally swung from one side to the other the angle plate of the book securing member is moved longitudinally of the book holder, and a member constituting a part of the su port and under which the forward end of t e arm is projected when the book en aging member is in releasing position where y the book holder is held against ment.

17. The combination with a su port, of a book holder pivotally attached to the support, means for securing a book to the holder, said means including a movable book-engaging member at one end of the holder and a member adapted to move the said movable bookengaging member and which when in its book-releasing position is projected under a portion of the support to prevent pivotal movement of the book holder.

Signed at Long Island City in the count of Queens and State of New York this 9t day of June A. D. 1930.

WALTER E. HASKIN.

pivotal move- 

